Apple Cider Turkey Brine

Apple cider turkey brine brings a new level of flavor and juiciness to your Thanksgiving or holiday bird.

This brine is easy to prepare because it’s simply homemade apple cider made with apples and notes of citrus, pomegranate, cinnamon, brown sugar, and cloves. The result is tender, juicy, and the most flavorful turkey meat!

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Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 40

Total Time: 50

Course: Brine, Main Course

Cuisine: Southern Food

Servings:

Calories: 124kcal

Author: Shaunda Necole

Equipment

Instant Pot electric pressure cooker
Reusable straining bag or strainer with a handle
Turkey roasting pan

Ingredients

8 cups water
5 apples quartered (You can use a mix of tart and sweet if you like – i.e., Granny Smith, Gala, Red Delicious)
1 orange with the peel on, quartered
2 tablespoons fresh ginger minced
1 ½ tablespoon whole cloves
1 pomegranate quartered
½ cup brown sugar
3 cinnamon sticks

Instructions

Remove the Instant Pot lid and turn on the sauté setting for 30 minutes. (30 minutes is the most you can sauté, so you’ll add more time when this time is up.)
Add the water, apples, and brown sugar to the stainless-steel inner pot with the lid off.
Place the cloves, ginger, cinnamon sticks, pomegranate, and orange into the strainer bag, tighten the bag’s strings, and place the strainer in the inner pot.
Allow the cider to simmer.
When the 30 minutes is up, turn on the sauté setting for an additional 10 minutes.
When the cooking time is finished, remove the straining bag and scoop out the apples.
Transfer the apple cider turkey brine to a deep-dish roasting pan with the turkey.
Then oven-roast your turkey in the apple cider brine, basting the turkey with the brine pan juices every 20-30 minutes.
You can garnish apple cider brined turkey with fresh thyme sprigs, fresh rosemary, or parsley.

Video

Notes

Nutrition

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